出生

• Pinyin: chū shēng
• Hanzi breakdown: 出 = to come out; 生 = pictograph of a plant sprouting from the ground — life, birth

Meaning

To be born. Refers to the event of being born or coming into the world.

Used to describe birth in both factual and biographical contexts. Commonly followed by location and date information. Can also be used in the pattern 出生于... (born in/at...).

Examples

1. 他出生在一个小城市。 He was born in a small city.
2. 我妹妹是二零零五年出生的。 My younger sister was born in 2005.
3. 这个孩子出生的时候很健康。 This child was very healthy when born.

Usage Guide

Context: biography, personal information, family

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 你是在哪里出生的？(Where were you born?)
• 她出生于一九九八年。(She was born in 1998.)

Don't Say

• 不要说'我出生了一个孩子' — 出生 means to be born (used for the person who is born), not to give birth. To say give birth, use 生 or 生了一个孩子.

Origin & History

Compound of 出 (to come out) and 生 (to be born, life). Together they describe the event of coming into life.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal